## Chapter 55 – 06. Around Chuseok
+++
The first thing I did upon arriving on the island was, of course, look for the master’s Go board.
It was the whole point of coming here, so it was only natural.
Taking Baekseol, Sua, and my fucktoys as baggage carriers, we set off.
Our destination was a cave located on the coast. It was in a slightly precarious spot, but as long as we were careful, there wouldn’t be any problems.
Fortunately, we found the cave without any major trouble.
Inside, I discovered a Go board covered in dust and a skeleton collapsed on top of it.
“Wow… it’s really here. Where do you even find things like this, Master? Do you have some kind of portal?”
“I have my ways.”
I didn’t want to touch it, but I carefully moved the skeleton.
Then, I lightly brushed off the Go board, where blood had dried and hardened.
A huge cloud of dust coated my hand.
– YOU BASTARD!!!!
Just then, a shout that seemed to burst my eardrums rang out.
“Kyaa!!”
Sua, greatly startled, quickly drew her gun,
and Baekseol drew her sword.
The other fucktoys also recoiled in shock and sat down, while Lee Na-eun calmly pulled out her Terminator.
Their reactions are priceless.
“Ah, it’s okay. Nothing to be afraid of.”
“Hic… M-Master… that, th-that’s not a hologram! A g-ghost…!!”
A transparent human figure was floating above the Go board.
– So, you’re the one with the strong aura.
“Master Han Guk-yeong, a junior disciple has come to see you.”
– ?!!
.
.
– I’d push up one space on the upper right corner.
He picked up a black stone and placed it where he wanted.
I then placed a white stone appropriately.
– I’ll cut you off.
*Tok.*
Again, he placed a black stone where he wanted, and I blocked it with a white stone.
– Hmm.
The master’s Go board.
This was the Go board where Han Guk-yeong, the greatest Go genius in human history who dominated the global Go scene until 2024, resided as a spirit.
At the time, he set records that had never existed before and have not been broken since, such as winning the world championship for 20 consecutive years and acquiring all titles from the Korean, Japanese, and Chinese Go Associations. Because of this, people regarded him as an unparalleled Go genius who would never appear again.
So why was he stuck to this Go board as a ghost?
The story is rather unfortunate. It was a time when Go AIs were popping up everywhere, and people were saying that human Go was useless and that Go was no longer an art.
Most Go players accepted this and adapted to the changes, but Han Guk-yeong refused to accept it.
He believed that humans were still competitive and could beat AI.
But the results were disastrous, and he became disillusioned with the Go world, which was increasingly being taken over by AI. He declared his retirement and went into seclusion.
No one could find him at the time. Later, in 2027, the Third World War broke out, causing political turmoil, and humanity never found him, according to the lore.
‘Turns out, he took his own life on an island in Shinan where no one could find him… along with his most cherished Go board.’
As an aside, the term “Meijin” is a word used in the Japanese Go world, but the reason why this word was attached instead of the Korean word “Guksu” is because of the game developer.
He caused a stir by saying, “If we call it ‘Guksu’s Go board,’ it reminds me of… Janchi-guksu (banquet noodles)….”
– You are….
Han Guk-yeong looked at the situation and let out a groan.
His voice sounded troubled.
– Your Go skills are terrible, aren’t they?
“…Isn’t that obvious when I’m playing against the greatest Go genius in human history?”
– No, even before that, your fundamentals are lacking. This can’t even be called Go. I gave you a nine-stone handicap, and you’re still getting pushed back this easily?
“…”
Well…
Of course.
The only Go I’ve ever played was mini-Go on a 9×9 board.
I can read local moves a little bit, but I don’t really know how to read the overall board situation or where to place the stones.
– Haa… So it has come to this. AI has swallowed Go whole… The skills of Go players have regressed this much…
“That’s an exaggeration. I’m just an ordinary person, and Go players are still good.”
– Hmm. Is that so? What year are you from?
“This year is ’76, Master. 2076.”
He was startled.
– 2076?? Has that much time already passed? Has it been 50 years since I died? Heo…
“Yes. And the Go world is still going strong.”
– The Go world is going strong… With AI running rampant like that, how can mere humans continue the Go world? Neither reading moves, judging the situation, nor anything else could be a match.
The shock must have been great.
To see him, who had denied AI so much in his lifetime, say such things.
“Most of the AI has been discarded.”
– Huh?
“China started the Third World War in ’27.”
– What?! Those damn Chinese bastards.
“The damage caused by AI during the war was so great that AI is now heavily regulated. Think of it as a nuclear non-proliferation treaty. Except for some essential industries, it has been significantly reduced, and Go has been completely removed.”
– …So humans didn’t win against AI after all.
“Well, isn’t it the same as smashing a computer with a hammer? They say all roads lead to Rome.”
– In that case, humans will die as well. What’s the point?
“That’s true.”
He let out a deep sigh.
It seems that all sorts of thoughts are running through his head after being trapped here for 50 years and meeting me.
– …I want to play Go. Not this strange Go, but real Go!
That’s it.
“Then would you like to come with me? My grandfather loves Go.”
– Is he a professional?
“No, he’s an amateur.”
– Hmm… I guess there’s no other choice for now.
He seemed a little disappointed.
I’m offering to take him out after being stuck here for 50 years, and he’s openly expressing his disappointment.
His attitude is terrible, but I’ll put up with it since it’s a gift for my grandfather.
– But wait a minute. Did you say that China started a world war? In ’27?
“Yes.”
– And it’s ’77 now?
“’76.”
– …What was the result? What about our country?? No, you’re not Chinese, are you? You damn Chi-,
“China lost Inner Mongolia to Mongolia, and Tibet and Uyghur became independent. The area north of the Yellow River became part of South Korea. The area south of the Yellow River was divided into 20 pieces.”
– What??!
This guy,
was even more surprised than when he heard that it was ’76.
– Is that… really true?
“Why would I lie to you, Master? You’ll find out as soon as you go out into the world.”
– Heo…. This is… unbelievable… What happened to Japan? The world of Go is practically Korea, China, and Japan, so if China has fallen….
“Japan was practically destroyed by the Nankai Trough earthquake during the Third World War.”
– Huh?
“A magnitude 10.1 earthquake occurred in the Nankai Trough, and five days later, Mount Fuji erupted, and two weeks later, a magnitude 8.9 earthquake struck directly under Tokyo, paralyzing the country’s functions for a long time. They are still recovering from the damage.”
– ….
“….”
– ….
“….”
– …What kind of world are you living in? Is Korea okay?
“Yes.”
A corporate dictatorship wearing the mask of democracy has been established, but it’s still one of the most normal countries.
– Ahem… Anyway, I understand. If you help me get out, I’ll do everything I can for you. Are you interested in becoming the strongest Go player?
“I’m not, but my grandfather might be. I want to give him this Go board as a gift.”
– I see. You’re a filial son. I understand. Please take care of me, junior.
Han Guk-yeong, who had been talking to me in a transparent form, was absorbed back into the Go board.
The noisy interior of the cave became quiet again.
“…I can’t believe ghosts really exist. I don’t think I can go to dark places anymore, Master.”
“It was a prejudice to think that only beings that humans can perceive exist….”
Sua and Baekseol each said a word, and the other girls were chattering away.
I picked up the Go board and pointed to the sadly fragmented remains.
“Take the remains too. We can give them to Grandpa together.”
“Yes, Master. But… do you really think he’ll be happy to receive a Go board like this? It’s too old.”
“He’s someone who can have anything he wants, so the size of the gift doesn’t matter to him. My sincerity is what matters.”
And our Go Young-man is a huge Go fanatic.
There’s no way he wouldn’t know Han Guk-yeong, who left a significant mark on Go history.
If it’s Han Guk-yeong’s last life and remains, which no one could find, and a Go board that can talk and play Go, wouldn’t it be a meaningful gift from his grandson for Chuseok?
“My lord, how about buying this island and giving it to him as well?”
“Huh? This island?”
“Yes.”
Baekseol looked at the place where the Go board and remains had been with a wistful expression.
“The place where the deceased spent his last moments… and the place where he ended his life, for 50 years… the place where he was. It seems meaningful.”
“Hmm.”
That makes sense.
“Sua, contact the island owner and tell them I’ll buy it. Tell them I’ll pay later. With interest.”
“Understood.”
